REVIEW: Lovely, lively La Cage' pulls heartstrings in Beverly

“La Cage Aux Folles,” currently running riotously at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, dishes out everything a musical theater audience might be craving – gaudy costumes, huge dance numbers, fascinating characters and a richly melodic score for a really big show. But watch out, audience: This giddy, glittering evening just might touch your heart with its underlying message of love and tolerance.

Sally Applegate / Correspondent

“La Cage Aux Folles,” currently running riotously at the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, dishes out everything a musical theater audience might be craving – gaudy costumes, huge dance numbers, fascinating characters and a richly melodic score for a really big show. But watch out, audience: This giddy, glittering evening just might touch your heart with its underlying message of love and tolerance.

Harvey Fierstein’s hilariously clever script, set off by the saucy melodies and lyrics of Jerry Herman, is dazzlingly directed by Charles Repole and resonates with richly realized characterizations by its leading players. Written 30 years ago, way before the current wave of increasing acceptance held out its arms to the gay community, this is a truly gutsy show.

Gay couple Georges and Albin’s son Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a fierce and famous opponent of the gay community, and tells his biological dad Georges the prospective in-laws are coming over to meet them. Uh-oh, hilarious complications are coming, big trouble brewing.

Charles Shaughnessy -- of TV's "The Nanny," and whom NSMT audiences will remember as Henry Higgins in 2011's "My Fair Lady" -- is handsome, vibrant and charming as drag show nightclub owner Georges. He delivers a marvelously believable and always engaging and energetic marathon performance in this demanding role.

Although some of the highest notes of Herman’s score are a challenge for him, he delivers delightfully well on the lower range, which, fortunately, is most of what he has to sing.

Jonathan Hammond is just delicious as the precious Albin. Every inch of his body, every look, every gesture as Albin, in or out of drag, proudly screams, “gay, gay, gay!” The scene where he attempts to learn masculinity so he can portray Jean-Michel’s macho uncle is a howl from start to finish. Singing the emotional and defiant “I Am What I Am,” he tears at the audience’s heartstrings. When Albin portrays Jean-Michel’s biological mother, Hammond’s performance is a marvel of believability.

Zach Trimmer is natural and engaging as Georges’ son Jean-Michel. A skillful and relaxed singer, he has a charming song and dance, “Anne on my Arm,” with gifted dancer Stephanie Martignetti as Anne.

Nikko Kimzin is an absolute riot as Jacob, the family “maid,” delivering a visual and vocal howl of a performance.

NSMT veteran Maureen Brennan is fresh and funny as the sweet and affectionate woman married to the arch-conservative anti-gay politician M. Dindon, who is played well by Larry Cahn.

This is a huge dance show, and the ensemble performances are explosive and extraordinary, especially a rhythmically precise tap dance and an acrobatic and original can-can number, innovatively choreographed by Michael Lichtefeld.

Costume designer Marcia Zammarelli and wig designer Gerard Kelly have outdone themselves here with wildly colorful and original designs that more than meet the audience expectations that come with this show.

The show also has its quiet moments, where raucous voices turn sweet and gentle, flawlessly delivering simple harmonies. The message of love and acceptance here is powerful and important.

FYI

“La Cage Aux Folles” continues through Sunday, Oct. 6 at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly. Evening performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.